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Philippines activists protest U.S. warship arrival

May 17 - Activists in the Philippines protest the arrival of USS Carl Vinson calling it a violation of national sovereignty and a projection of US power in the region. Nick Rowlands reports

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Activists in the Philippines protest the visit of a US aircraft carrier, saying it's a projection of US military might that violates their sovereignty.
Demonstrating near the US embassy in Manila, the protesters also slam the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows US troops to hold military exercises in the Philippines.
They chant "Junk junk VFA."
The secretary general of the left-leaning New Patriotic Alliance says the US has no respect for national sovereignty.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN (NEW PATRIOTIC ALLIANCE) SECRETARY-GENERAL, RENATO REYES:
"It's meant to showcase the U.S. achievements in the War on Terror, and it is a reminder of how America disregards national sovereignty, just like what they did in Pakistan and in what they are doing in other parts of the world."
Demonstrators want US troops out.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN (NEW PATRIOTIC ALLIANCE) SECRETARY-GENERAL, RENATO REYES:
"Even if they say it is directed against so-called terrorists, we have seen that the war on terror is primarily directed in support of US economic, political, and military interest, and nothing more."
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is the ship from which Osama bin Laden's remains were buried at sea.
Protesters accuse the Philippines president of being the ultimate US puppet for welcoming the war ship into their territorial waters.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters

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